Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY301073 Inspection date 20 October 2005 Inspector Margaret Shelborn

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and daughter aged 1 year in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The childminder works with another registered childminder. The whole of the ground floor plus the bathroom, toilet and her daughter's bedroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a small enclosed area to the rear of the house for outdoor play. The childminder walks to the local school and takes children to the local parks. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of who attend on a full and part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, warm welcoming home. The childminder has implemented clear and consistent routines to protect children and promote children's health. Children know to wash their hands after visiting the toilet, for example, a 4 year old demonstrates washing her hands by vigorously rubbing her hands together and saying "I have washed all the dirt off". Toddlers help themselves to wipes to wipe their hands and faces. Children benefit from healthy eating, they are provided with nutritious food which complies to any special dietary needs and parents wishes. Children are able to independently access drinks throughout the day. Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills by using large equipment such as a climbing frame and swings when they visit the local parks. Children also walk to and from school every day. Small children have access to a

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Helping children to be healthy

small selection of sit and ride toys in an area of the rear garden. The childminder has some written policies and procedures in place. However, she does not have written permission to administer medication or a policy regarding the exclusion of sick children who are infectious.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder identifies and minimises risks to children in the home. Children have a good understanding about safety particularly when they are outdoors. They know to hold the childminder's hand or hold on to the buggy. Older children know not to walk out of view of the childminder and know the procedures to carry out before crossing roads, for example, children themselves demonstrated to me how they look both ways before crossing a road. Children are cared for in a welcoming home where the childminding areas some of the time offer them good freedom of movement. However, the childminder needs to be more aware when children are ready for a change in activities. She does not consistently organise her space to allow children to independently select play materials. Children's welfare is safeguarded in relation to child protection issues. The childminder has attended relevant training and is aware of signs and symptoms and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

would take swift action if she became concerned about a child in her care. She has also devised a safety evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are content in the childminder's care, they are warmly welcomed into the home which helps then feel secure. There are a reasonable selection of toys, books and play materials available to support children's learning and development. The older children tell how they enjoy baking and being creative with collage. They feel sufficiently comfortable to relax with activities, they enjoy and quickly become absorbed with current favourites, such as playing with the computer. However, the childminder does not always do enough to provide children with new challenges and to stimulate children's interest in different activities. The childminder needs to extend the content and range of her play activities for younger children to help them make progress in all areas of learning. The childminder interacts in a kindly way with children which helps them to overcome their shyness and to gain confidence. Children are supported by praise and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encouragement for their achievements which raises their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents prior to placement. Parents and children are welcomed into the childminder's home, although little written information is provided about the service to help parents gain an understanding of the nature of the provision. She talks to parents about their requirements and is willing to be flexible to accommodate variations in care needed. She recognises the importance of respecting parents wishes. There are limited resources which reflect diversity of the wider world, the childminder has a few books and jigsaws. The childminder helps children to learn about sharing, taking turns, she explains why this is important and gives the children praise for having good manners. The childminder uses appropriate strategies to deal with persistent difficulties and she has a consistent approach for behaviour management. Positive comments made to parents regarding the daily routines of their child on

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Helping children make a positive contribution

collection ensures parents are kept up to date.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has some polices to help maintain children’s care. She ensures her training, such as first aid is up to date, that adults who may have close contact with the children are suitably checked and that children have access to a satisfactory selection of activities. Children feel at home and at ease with the way the environment is organised, children are confident to initiate their own play when resources are freely available.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Some information is shared regularly with parents to keep them informed of their children's activities and routines, this contributes to continuity in the children's routine care. The adult to child ratios are maintained to allow a satisfactory level of individual attention. The organisation of space and resources to meet the needs of the children is satisfactory, however, improvements in terms of space and organisation of resources need to be in place to allow the children greater flexibility of movement and independence. The childminder uses very basic documentation which is organised well and regularly updated. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request the complaints record may contain complaints other than those made by Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure written permission is received before administering medication • ensure a policy is in place about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious which is discussed with parents. This includes a procedure for contacting parents or another adult designated by a parent if a child becomes ill whilst in the childminder's care

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • ensure resources are organised so that they are readily accessible to children and supports children's play and learning • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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